Fastening device



June 9, 1942. G. A. 'nNNl-:RMAN 2,285,042

FASTENING DEVICE original Filed Jan. '7, 1937 5:/ "I" 4 9 435 f/ AGEORGE A. TINNERMAN Patented June 9, 1942 l UNITED STATES vPATENTOFFICEl FAs'rENiNG DEVICE George A. Tinnerman, Cleveland, Ohio,assignor, by mesnc assignments, to Tinnerman Products,

Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio (ULSS-36) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to threadless fasteners, and particularly thoseknown as sheet metal nuts which are adapted to be used in an assemblywherein it is necessary for the fastener to retain itself in boltreceiving position prior to the insertion of the bolt. The presentapplication is a division of copending application Serial Number119,415, filed January 7, 1937, and since issued as U. S. Patent Number2,222,449 November 19, 1940.

Previous forms of devices of this nature have been provided by `what arereferred to in the trade as clinch-on nuts or nut holding devicesembodying conventional threaded nuts and cage devices which are riveted,spot welded or otherwise attached to a part to be secured preparatory tothe operation by which such part is fastened in the fabrication of astructure, and particularly, ina blind location wherein it is impossibleor inconvenient for an operator to holdthe nut while applying thesecuring bolt or screw thereto.

However, any such arrangement comprising only a threaded nut is oftenunsatisfactory and inefficient over a period of use, because, generally,no means are provided to prevent loosening and unscrewing of thethreaded fastener. Furthermore, though any such fastening arrangementmay be employed somewhat satisfactorily in certain installations inwhich cost is of no great consequence, the use thereof is prohibitive insuch constructions as require a simple, llight weight and inexpensivefastening means which may be easily and quickly applied to provide alocked fastening installation in a minimum of time and effort andrelatively few assembling operations.

A most inexpensive and practical arrangement for securing variousstructural parts involvesthe use of one-piece sheet metal nutscomprising tempered, spring metal locking plates provided with integralbolt thread engaging means designed for threadedly engaging a threadedfastening member in the manner of an ordinary nut. The spring metalmaterial of such locking plates is, of course, considerably harder,tougher and of much greater tensile and compressive strength than thatof a sheet metal supporting structure,

` for example, and accordingly, the bolt thread en- Eaging elementsthereof are admirably suited for providing not only a stronger, superiorconnection between the part secured and the supporting structure thanwould be possible otherwise, but also a tightened, practicallyself-locking, fastening engagement of the securing bolt in final appliedposition rigidly securing the respective parts of an installation. Thus,there is eliminated the CFI necessity for lock washers, and the like,with the resultant savings in the'cost of such devices and the expenseof labor in the tedious, time-consuming assembling operations which suchfastenings require.

In the use of such self-locking sheet metal nuts, various forms ofthreaded fasteners embodying ythe well known V-shaped thread areemployed with excellent results in the average installation vthreadedfastener having a square thread.

This takes place by reason of the fact that in the tightening action ofa fastener having a square thread, all the force is put parallel to theaxis of the bolt or screw. In addition, whenA vemployed with a sheetmetal nut in accordance with the present invention, such a square threaddefines relatively wide thread surfaces which extend generally normal tothe .axis of the bolt or screw and are thereby adapted to provide a mosteffective thread engaging action of great strength with thecomplementary thread portion `of the sheet metal nut. In this respect,the elements of the thread portion of the sheet metal nut, as providedfor use with a bolt having a square thread, are capable of engagingsubstantially the full amount of such square thread surface. and onlines generally at right angles to the axis of the bolt or screw. Andthis, together with the f usually total force of tightening taking placeparallel to the axis of a bolt or screw having a square thread, providesfor a stronger, superior fastening installation by a sheet metal nutthan is possible otherwise using the ordinary threaded fastener having aV-shaped thread.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is for the provision of asheet metal nut or nut structure having a thread engaging portion ormeans which is especially adapted for use with a'threaded fastenerhaving a square thread in la manner to provide a relatively stronger,su-

perior connection for heavy duty installations, as and for the purposesdescribed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedcombination of fastening thread portion comprising thread engagingelewhich like reference characters designate like parts throughout, andin whichz` Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing the sefastening means ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the sheet metal nut per se illustrated inFig. 1; l

Fig. 3 is a side view or edge elevation of the fastener shown in Fig. 2;'f

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line t-t of Fig. 3, looking to theright;

Fig. 5'is a sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3, looking to theleft; and

Fig. 6.is a top plan of an article or part showing the layout ofopenings therein for attaching the sheet metal nut and for receiving athreaded fastener with which the same is to be used.

The sheet metal nut fastener which is illustrated in the drawing has abody portion it, one end of which is bent upwardly and backwardly uponitself, as at H, and which cooperates with bent portions i2 adjacent abolt opening in said body i@ to provide bolt-receivngmeans forthreadedly engaging a multiple turn on the shank of a threaded memberi3. To attach or hold the fastener in bolt-receiving position upon apart to be joined, there is provided substantial clip means at the endopposite the turned-up portion ii, the same being preferably formed fromthe material-which comprises the body i@ of the fastener. In the formillustrated, the clip means embodies a tongue i5 which is struckdownwardly from the fastener body i@ at a point spaced inwardly from theend it thereof, and sufliciently far to engage the underside of one ofthe parts to be joined.

The engagement between the top and bottom sides of a part to be joinedis illustrated in Fig. l wherein il represents a plate having a boltpassage it and a fastener attaching aperture it ycuring of a. pluralityof parts by the improved eign matter into the vehicle body. To concealsuch opening, therefore, there is provided on the fastener body, anextension 25 which ts snugly within the opening I9 after the fastenerhas been inserted into place. By utilizing a closeiit between theextension 25 and the walls of the aperture I9, the end I5, of. theextension can be snapped into abutting engagement with the wall 2l ofsaid aperture I9 as the final act in the assembling operation.Thereupon, the fastener is securely held in bolt-receiving position, andat the same time the aperture through which the fastener is attached isadequately sealed.

` To attach a fastener `made in accordance with the invention, the endof the bolt thread engaging portions thereon may be inserted through theaperture I9 from the side shown as the bot- ,tom in Fig. 6 until thepart I1 adjacent the wall 20, enters the space between the fastener bodyI0 and the tongue I5, whereupon the fastener is pushed forwardly untilthe end I6 of the extension snaps into abutting engagement with the Wall2l. Thereafter, the part 30 and the washer 3l, having openings 32 and3ft-'therein in registration with the bolt passage I8, may be broughtinto position with respect to the part il and the bolt i3 maybe insertedthrough the aligned openings. At such time, the portions I2 engage oneconvolution of the bolt thread M and the thread engaging portion A vonthe upturned part id engages another turn of the bolt thread. The threadengaging portion 35 is preferably made in the shape of the helix on themarginal edge of a notch 36 that is provided at the end of the upturnedtongue or arm ii. Thus, when the bolt is `tightened all ofdthe parts arebrought into cooperatingrelationship. f rllhe bolt i8, in thev presentembodiment directed to heavy duty installations, has a square Y threadi6 and, for best results, the sheet metal engaging portion i2 of thefastener will be in registration with the bolt passage i8 in saidv teneris in engagement with the edge 20, however, part 'of the-opening I9would normally remain unsealed, and whenever the fastener is used forassembling the fender on an automobile body, the unsealed part wouldpermit the entrance of water', exhaust vapors. dirt and for" nutfastener i@ is made of stock of a gauge or thickness-approximating orslightly less than the pitch or space between adjacent convolutions ofsuch square thread.- Preferably, the bolt opening in the fastener body i@between the bent portions !!2, is of a predetermined size for receivingsnugly the root diameter of said bolt i3 in the I normal or initialgenerally bowed or concave configuration of said fastener body as shownin Fig. l.

l ASaid bolt opening preferably includes opposed vlateral slots .37, tt,for admitting the square thread M upon' turning movement of said boltinto fastening relation therewith such that the generally round marginaledge portions of said bolt opening between said slots 3 7, 38, denecooperating thread engaging elements i2 in the form ofkdistinct tongues,or the like, designed ,for 4threaded abutting engagement with substan-.thread i4 for uniform threaded engagement with any threadconvolution'of the bolt in cooperation with thread engaging element 35engaging an adjacent thread convolution thereof.

To facilitate the initial engagement of the bolt thread with such threadengaging means, the slot 31 at the lowest point of the Ahelix defined bythe bent portions I2, is preferably formed with an angular side edge 39providing an enlarged recess adapted to receive freely the leading endofthe square thread Il by a quick turning movement of the bolt I3 in aminimum of time and effort. Upon continued rotation ofthe bolt, thesquare thread then easily rides up on the remainder of the helix denedby bent portions I2 and the thread `engaging element 35, to advance thescrew axially to fully tightened fastening position securing the partsof the installation.

In this relation, the generally round marginal edges or tongueextremitiesdeflned by the thread engaging elements I2 and element 3S onarm II are designed to snugly receive the root diameter of the bolt I3with material-portions adjacent said marginal edges in positive abuttingengagement with the relatively wide, square thread surfaces I4 of saidbolt. f

It will be thus appreciated that in the final tightening action of thebolt I3, said thread engaging elements I2 and 35 are capable ofextraordinary holding power by reason of such positive abuttingengagement with the square thread surfaces of the bolt. At the sametime' the body I0 is somewhat flattened from its initial generallyconcave configuration such that the extremities of said thread engagingelements I2 are caused to move into firm, frictional, gripping andbiting relationiboth with the root Adiameter of the bolt and the squarethread surfaces thereof in providing automatically a thread lockingaction on the bolt by which the same is not subject to loosening ordisplacement from fully tightened, applied fastening position, evenunder extreme condition of shock, jarring effects and vibratoryl motionin an installation.

AWhile the invention has been described indetail with a specificexample, such'exampleis intended as an illustration only, since it willbe apparent to those skilled in the 'art that other modifications in theconstruction, arrangement and general combination of parts thereof maybe devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.The present embodiment i is therefore to be considered in all respectsasv illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, with all changes falling within the scope, meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims intended to be embraced therein. Whatis claimed is:

1. A sheet metal nut structure provided withV an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threadedmember., having a square thread,comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and provided with an opening for receiving saidthreaded member, said opening including lateral slots for admitting saidsquare thread and defining cooperating thread engaging elements Ionportions substantially in the general plane of said body, at least oneof said thread 'engaging elements being integral with said body in thearea bordering one of the slots of said opening. said thread engagingelements being bent outwardly out of the plane'of the body such that theedges thereof adjacent -said opening lie on a helix correspondingsubstantially to that of' said square thread for abutting engagementwith a convolution of said thread.

2. A sheet metal nut structure provided ywith an integral thread portionfor threadedls,1 engaging a threaded member having ya square thread,comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and provided with an opening. for receiving 4saidthreaded member, said openingincluding lateral slots for admitting saidsquare thread and defining coooperating thread engaging elements onportions substantially in the general plane of said body and which areintegral with said body in the areas bordering said slots, said threadengaging elements being bent outwardly out of the plane of the body suchthat the edges thereof adjacent said opening lie on,a helixcorresponding substantially to that of said square thread for abuttingengagement with a convolution of said thread. l 3. A sheet metal nutstructure p rovided with an integral thread portion for threadedlyengaging a threaded member having a square thread, comprising, a sheetmetal body of a gauge approximating the pitch of said square thread andprovided with a generally round opening corresponding substantially tothe root diameter of said threaded member, said opening includinglateral slots for admitting said square thread and deiini'ng cooperatingthread engaging elements on portions substantially in the general planeof said body and provided with generally round extremities for snuglyreceiving the root of said threaded member, at least one of said threadengaging ele- I ments being integral with the body in the area borderingone of the slots of said opening, said thread engaging elements beingbent outwardly out of the plane of the body such that the edges kthereofadjacent said opening lie on a helix corresponding substantially to thatof said square thread for vuniform abutting engagement with aconvolution of said thread. f

4. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded member having a square thread,comprising, a sheet'metalbody of a gauge approximating the pitch of saidsquare thread and provided with a generally round opening correspondi'ngsubstantially to the root diameter of said threaded member, said openingincluding lateral slots for admitting said square thread and definingcooperating thread engaging elements onportions substantially in thegeneral plane of said body and provided with generally round extremitiesfor snugly receiving the root of said threaded member, said threadengaging elements being integral with the body in the areas borderingsaid slots and being bent outwardly out of the plane of the body suchthat the edges thereof adjacent said opening lie on a helixcorresponding substantially to that of said square thread for uniformabutting engagement with4 a convolution of said thread.

5. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded member having a square thread,comprising, a sheet -metal body Vof a gauge approximating the pitchvofsaid square thread and formed ina generally concave configurationtogether with an opening corresponding substantially to theroot diameter'of said threaded member, said openingI including lateral slots foradmittingY said squarethread and defining cooperating thread engagingelements on portions sub.

ration upon tightening of the threaded memberv to cause said extremitiesof the cooperating thread engaging elements to move into lockingengagement with said threaded member.

6. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded memberhaving a square thread,comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and formed in'a generally concave configurationtogether with an opening corresponding substantially to the rootdiameter of said threaded member, said opening including lateral slotsfor admitting said square thread and deiining cooperating substantialtongue elements or the like on portions substantially in the generalplane o said' body, said-tongue elements being integral with said bodyin the areas bordering said slots and being bent outwardly out of theplane of the body such that the extremities thereof lie on a helixcorresponding substantially to that of said square thread for uniformabutting engagement with a convolution of said thread, said generallyconcave body being adapted to be iiattened from itsinitial'configuration upon'tightening of thel threaded member to causesaid tongue extremities `to move inwardly into locking engagement 'withsaid threaded member.

7. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionlfor threadedly engag; ing a threaded member having a square thread,

comprising, a sheet metal bodyof a gauge approximating the pitch of saidsquare thread .and provided with an opening for receiving said threadedmember, said opening including lateral` slots for admitting said squarethread and dening cooperating thread engaging elements on portionssubstantially in the general plane: of said body, at least one of saidthread engaging elements being integral with said body inthe areabordering one of the slots of said opening,

said thread engaging elements being bent outwardly out of the plane ofthe body such that the'edges thereof Aadjacent said opening lie on ahelix corresponding substantially to that of said square thread forabutting engagement with a convolution of said thread", and anotherthread engaging element in said sheet metal nut. structure for engaginga convolution of said square thread other than that engaged by saidcooperating thread engaging elements. W f

8.v A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded member having a square thread,comprising. a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and provided with an opening for receiving saidthreaded member, said opening including lateral slots for admitting saidsquare thread and deiining cooperating thread engaging elements onportions substantially in the general plane of said body and which areintegral With said body in the areas bordering said slots,'said threadenplane of the body such that the edges thereof adjacent said openinglie on a helix corresponding substantially to that of said square.thread for abutting engagement with a convolution of said thread, andanother thread engaging element in said sheet metal nut structure forengaging a convolution of said square thread other than that engaged bysaid cooperating thread engaging elements.

9. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded member having a square thread,comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and provided with a generally round openingcorresponding substantially to the root diameter of .y said threadedmember, said opening including gaging elements being bent outwardly out'of the if@ lateral slots for admitting said square thread and deii'ningcooperating thread engaging elements on portions substantially in thegeneral plane of said body and provided with generally round extremitiesfor snugly receiving the root of said threaded member, at least one ofsaid thread engaging elements being integral with the body in the areabordering one of said slots of the opening. said thread engagingelements being bent outwardly out of the plane of the body such that theedges thereof adjacent said opening lie on a helix correspondingsubstantially to that of said square thread for uniform abuttingengagement with a convolution of said thread, and another threadengaging element in said sheet metal nut structure for engaging aconvolution of said square thread other than that engaged by saidcooperating thread engaging elements.

10. .A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral threadportion for threadedly engaging a threaded member having a squarethread, comprising," a sheet metal body of a'gauge approximating thepitch of said square thread and provided with a generally round openingcorresponding substantially to the root diameter of Asaid threadedmember, said opening including lateral slots for admitting said squarethread and deiining cooperating thread engaging elements on portionssubstantially in the general plane of said body and provided withgenerally round extremities for snugly receiving the root of saidthreaded member, said thread engaging elements being integral withthebody in the areas bordering said slots and-being bent outwardly outof the plane of the body such that the edges thereof adjacent saidopening lie .on a helix corresponding substantially to that of saidsquare thread for uniform abutting engagement with a convolution of saidthread, andanother thread engaging element in said sheet metal nutstructure for engaging a convolution of said square thread other thanthat yengaged by engaging elements.

l1. A sheet metal nut structure provided with an integral thread portionfor threadedly engaging a threaded member having a square thread,comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch ofsaid square thread and formed in a generally concave configurationtogether with an opening corresponding substantially to the rootdiameter of said threaded membei', said opening including lateral slotsfor admitting said square thread and defining cooperating threadengaging elements on portions substantially in the general plane of saidbody, said thread engaging elements being integral with said body in theareas bordering said slots and being bent outwardly out of the plane ofthe body such said cooperating thread gaseosa member, and another threadengaging element in said sheet metal nut structure for engaging aconvolution of said square threadother than that engaged by saidcooperating thread engaging elements.

12. A vsheet metal nut structure provided with an integral threadportion for threadedly enga!- ing a threaded member'having a squarethread,

comprising, a sheet metal body of a gauge approximating the pitch otsaid square thread and formed in a generally concave congurationtogether with a generally round opening corresponding substantially tothe root diameter of saidthreaded member, said opening includingarterial not; :or admitting ma square thread and defining cooperatingsubstantial tongue elements or the like on portions substantially in thegeneral plane of said body and having generally round extremities forsnugly receiving the root of said threaded member, said tome elementsbeing integral with said body in the areas bordering said slots andbeing bent outwardly out of the plane lof the body such that theextremities thereof lie on a helix corresponding substantially to thatof said square thread for uniform abuttins engagement with a convolutionof said thread. said generally concave body being adapted to beiiattened from its initial configuration upon tightening of the threadedmember to cause said A tongue extremities to move inwardly into lockingengagement with said threaded member, and another tongue element in saidsheet metal nut structure for engaging a convolution of said squarethreadotherthanthat engaged'by said cooperating tongue elements.

GmRG! A. TINNERHAN;

